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A makeshift shelter has also been built in the cemetery just a few hundred yards from the Royal Mile.

The scenes are highlighted today as the Scottish Government prepares to publish new homelessness figures on Tuesday.

The statistics – based on the number of homelessness applications made to councils from April to September last year – are expected to show another rise.

Charities described the plight of the rough sleepers as “disgraceful” and said the case showed the homelessness problem was now “all-pervading”.

A makeshift shelter has been constructed in the church grounds (Image: Sunday Mail)

We also found signs of rough sleeping in other graveyards around the country.

We spoke to one man now living in Greyfriars who told how he had given up hope of ever securing a roof over his head in the city.

Kevin Murphy, 47, who has been living in the landmark for several months, said: “I know it is an unusual situation.

“A friend stays in with me and there are two other boys who have a tent here as well.

“Another guy has built a shelter so there are five people living here at the moment.

“The police have come and had a word and talked about moving us on but we’re still here for now. I don’t think I’m breaking any laws and I tidy up after myself.

“It’s a tough existence and it’s freezing at the moment. Wearing as many thin layers as you can is the secret to staying alive.

“I’ve lived in the city all my life and would love a house but I’ve no chance of affording one.”

Greyfriars Kirkyard’s website describes the cemetery as “famous throughout the world” and attracts tourists “day and night”. It has been immortalised by the story of Greyfriars Bobby – the loyal terrier who guarded his owner John Gray’s grave for 14 years after he passed away in 1858.

The story inspired Disney’s film about the dog which died in 1872.

Poet William McGonagall – known as one of Scotland’s worst bards is buried on the site. He died in 1902.

Harry Potter fans also flock to the kirkyard to visit the grave of Tom Riddell who died in 1806 after author JK Rowling revealed his grave inspired the real name of villain Lord Voldemort in her books.

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Former roads worker Kevin, who tries to make ends meet begging in the city centre, added: “Homelessness is a big problem in Edinburgh and is definitely getting worse.

“I was at Princes Street before but have been at Greyfriars for a few months.

“I like the peace and quiet.

“Tours go on until late at night but I’m often out begging at that time. I get on with the tourists and make sure I’m polite to everyone.”

Official figures in August showed the number of people sleeping rough in Scotland had risen for the second consecutive year and was up 10 per cent on two years ago.

Charity Homeless Action Scotland said rents in Edinburgh had gone up by more than 40 per cent in the capital in the last eight years “putting more and more pressure on vulnerable people”.

Research shows the average price of a property in Edinburgh is around £300,000. The homeless are also understood to have spent time in recent months living under arches at St Cuthbert’s Church in Princes Street.

Kevin said his life snowballed into chaos after the loss of a job and his home.

He said: “I worked as a roads labourer right up to my 30s before a company I was with went out of business.

“In a short time, I lost everything.

“I moved in with my parents but that didn’t work out and I ended up on the streets.

“There are far too many people in the same position. Halfway houses would be good, where people can get off the streets but get help with bills and looking after themselves.

“There is a problem with B&Bs, which you can sometimes get.

“Some have an 11.30pm curfew which is when people want to be out begging.

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Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “It’s a tragic irony that just seconds away from the modern-day symbols of a thriving and rich society there exists a world at polar opposites where people are sleeping rough in graveyards.

"It’s disgraceful that in 21st century Scotland – one of the world’s wealthiest nations – so many people are failed by the housing safety net and find themselves homeless.

“We know there is excellent work being carried out by people in homelessness services across Scotland and there is a commitment at national and local government levels to do more.

“Without urgent action now there is a clear risk of homelessness in Scotland continuing to rise.”